After slumbering through the opening period Russia stepped through the gears to beat Tunisia 2-0 here on

Wednesday to take early command of World Cup Group H.

Both sides, playing their first match of the tournament, were looking for a win to take them above

group rivals Japan and Belgium, who drew 2-2 on Tuesday.

And it was the Russians who found a way through with two quickfire second-half goals from Egor Titov and Valery Karpin.

Russia's last appearance in the second phase was 1986 but this win means that another three points at the expense of co-hosts Japan on Sunday in Yokohama will end that poor run.

The first half comprised 45 minutes of the dullest football served up at the tournament so far.

But a vastly-improved Russian performance in the second half ensured that this year's event has yet to produce a goalless draw after 15 matches, equalling the record start from USA 94.

Titov finally broke the deadlock on the hour when Tunisian goalkeeper Ali Boumnijel, in a mad moment, threw the ball straight to substitute Dmitri Sychev, who chested the ball down for Titov to drive home.

Titov had come the closest for the Russians with a low drive in the dying seconds of the half.

But the 26-year-old Spartak Moscow midfielder deserved his stroke of luck as he netted his fifth international goal.

Sychev, on for the ineffective Vladimir Beschastnykh, won a penalty four minutes later after colliding with Radhi Jaidi and Karpin sent Boumnijel the wrong way with the kick.

The double blow caused Tunisian heads to drop and their frustration grew only greater when Ziad Jaziri, whose overhead kick just after Karpin's goal failed to trouble Russian keeper Ruslan Nigmatullin, picked up a yellow card for diving in the area with 15 minutes left.

Ironically the North Africans

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